Furnas had a varied career as a newspaperman, soldier, Indian
agent, historian, agriculturist, and Nebraska governor from 1873
to 1875. He was one of early Nebraska's strongest promoters and
founded the newspaper the Nebraska Advertiser in Brownville
in 1856. In 1868 he founded the Nebraska Farmer, the first
agricultural newspaper in the state. Furnas formed and commanded
three Indian regiments during the Civil War, recruited and led
the Second Nebraska Cavalry, and later served as an Indian agent.
He helped create Arbor Day while governor, and served as the
first president of the Nebraska State Historical Society.